Bushfires: Funeral held for RFS volunteer Andrew O’Dwyer

Donning his helmet, Andrew O’Dwyer’s daughter clung to the memory of her firefighter dad.

RFS volunteer Andrew O'Dwyer's daughter Charlotte next to his casket.

Donning his helmet, Andrew O’Dwyer’s tiny daughter, Charlotte, clung to the memory of her firefighter father, described as a “free spirit who lived in the present”.

Just after he bent down to pin a service medal on the 19-month-old, NSW Rural Fire Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told Charlotte her father “only left us because he is a hero”.

Hundreds of family, friends, RFS colleagues and other emergency service representatives showed up at the funeral in Sydney’s west on Tuesday morning for Mr O’Dwyer, one of the two RFS volunteers killed last month in the line of duty.

Andrew O'Dwyer with his wife Melissa and baby Charlotte. Picture: Facebook

Many formed a guard of honour as his casket arrived, saluting or placing their hands on their hearts.

The service at Our Lady of Victories Horsley Park was within striking distance of the Rural Fire Service brigade Mr O’Dwyer served. The Horsley Park brigade’s captain, Darren Nation, said Mr O’Dwyer was passionate about its mission.

“The love he had for the fire brigade was as thick as the blood that run through his veins,” he told the packed church.

On December 19, Mr O’Dwyer and colleague Geoffrey Keaton were killed fighting the Green Wattle Creek blaze near Buxton, west of Sydney, when their truck was hit by a falling tree and rolled off the road.

Charlotte O'Dwyer receives her fathers service medal from RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons. Picture: AAP

Three other firefighters from the Horsley Park Fire Brigade were injured in the same accident.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, state Emergency Services Minister David Elliott and federal Labor MP Chris Bowen were among the mourners.

“You need to know that your dad was a selfless man, he was a special man. There are no words that can adequately describe our sorrow, our respect, our regard, for the loss of Andrew … in that tragic accident,” said Mr Fitzsimmons as he paid tribute to Mr O’Dwyer.

Mr Fitzsimmons also presented Mr O’Dwyer’s partner, Melissa, with a Commissioner’s Commendation for extraordinary service and bravery — the highest accolade that can be given to NSW firefighters.

While Mr Fitzsimmons paid tribute to Mr O’Dwyer’s RFS service and dedication, the volunteer firefighter’s father, Errol, said it was Charlotte who was “the apple of her father’s eye”.

Paying tribute to his son, Mr O’Dwyer said farewelling Andrew was the hardest thing he had ever done.

“Although my heart is broken, you have made me very proud.”

Below the altar, treasured items of Mr O’Dwyer were placed on a table: a Wests Tigers shirt, a favourite hat, a bottle of beer and a camera belonging to the talented photographer.

The items could only capture a fraction of the person those close to him clearly treasured.

At the end of the service, members of the Horsley Park Fire Brigade performed a Maori ceremonial haka before mourners farewelled the casket.